Liege-Bastogne-Liege debutant Mathieu van der Pol (Alpecin Phoenix) was not in contention for the win after 257km of racing, but just 24 hours after his epic 50km solo ride to win the Bink Bank Tour on Saturday in Liege He finished in sixth place.

The Dutch champion led the chase group in the last 10 km into Liège, reminiscent of his stunning victory in last season's Amstel Gold Race, but this time he could not catch up to them on the finish line. This time, however, he could not catch them at the finish line. Nevertheless, he won the sprint for 6th place and pulled away from the chasing group.

"I'm very happy because it's my first time in Liège and I'm in sixth place. [especially after Saturday. But you can't take away the BinckBank Tour. That was my goal, and as it turns out, I'm doing very well." [But Van der Pol regretted missing the chance to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Bahrain McLaren's Matej Mohoric managed to close a 15-second gap in the last kilometer, eventually taking fourth place after Julien Alaphilippe was demoted. The Dutch rider admitted that he did not have the legs to follow the leaders on the final climb of the day.

"I feel like I missed my chance," he said. I was a little short on the climbs. I was a little short on the climbs. But it's still bittersweet to see Mohoric up there after the fact.

"When they attacked, I was at my limit. I didn't even make the course recon. I felt really good, but when those five guys accelerated, I couldn't keep up with them. But Mohoric got away. But Mohoric got away and I caught up with them. It was my fault that I couldn't keep up with them."

Van der Pol believes he has a chance to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the future "if everything goes well," but he doubts the influence of the Giro d'Italia on his start list this year.

But after Wednesday's Brabantspaille, the cobbles will be his next focus. Van der Pol will head to Ghent-Wevelgem to make up for the cancellation of the Amstel Gold race, then return to the Tour de Flanders before making his Paris-Roubaix debut later this month.

That is if the race, which is in jeopardy due to COVID-19, is held.

"Ghent-Wevelgem is an alternative to the Amstel Gold Race. 'It could take a lot of points for us to be the best pro team. We have to take everything possible, especially now that Roubaix is uncertain. It is also important that we have done the distance. Overall, I am more satisfied than disappointed."